New Billabong Wetsuit Is Saving Surfers' Lives

STUDIO CITY (CBS) — Big wave surf nearly killed Shane Dorian in 2010, but with the help of a new wetsuit from Billabong, Dorian is back in the water.

Hub Hubbard from Billabong visited the KCAL 9 studios Friday to talk about their new wetsuit that has an inflatable pack invented in part by Dorian.

The revolutionary suit has been dubbed the "Billabong V1" with the V standing for Vertical ascent and the 1 indicating positive altitude, or one foot above sea level.

"We added a large zippered pocket on the back of the suit to contain the bladder, which is attached to an inflator and CO2 cartridge which are 'docked' between your shoulder blades so you don't even notice it. A pull cord runs over the shoulder to a handle on the upper chest…you just pull it like a parachute and up you go," said Hubbard.

For more information, visit Billabong online.